TOKYO, Nov 30: Rescuers are searching for seven missing US Air Force personnel after their Osprey crashed during a training exercise off Japan.
Citing AFP report, an unconscious individual found in the sea was pronounced dead following the incident near Yakushima island on Wednesday.
“The search operation had continued through the night and involved six patrol ships and two aircraft.
“Police and local rescuers were also involved, and the coastguard said it would use special sonar devices to scan the sea floor. The cause of the mishap is currently unknown,” the statement read.
According to the US Air Force Special Operations Command eight crew members were on board the CV-22B Osprey during a routine training mission from Yokota Air Base in Japan.
Emergency management reports from the Kagoshima region, where the crash occurred, mentioned information about the aircraft emitting fire from a left engine.
Coastguard photos revealed an overturned yellow life raft and debris in the water off Yakushima, south of Kyushu, Japan. – TVS
